Toronto’s Opera 5 has been named as the latest Company-in-Residence of the Canadian Opera Company. The artistic residency carries a two-year term that begins on July 1, 2025.
A major component of the residency is a collaboration on the creation of an operatic work that will be presented at the Canadian Opera Company.
Established in 2016, the COC’s Company-in-Residence program allows local indie opera companies to expand their reach, offering support and guidance.
“The Canadian Opera Company is proud to support fellow creators,” says COC General Director David Ferguson. “As a national performing arts organization, one of the COC’s foundational pillars is our commitment to leveraging our platform and resources to boost the profile of emerging opera artists and collectives. We are passionate about investing in the broader Canadian opera community and are looking forward to introducing more audiences to Opera 5 and their incredible work.”
Led by General Director & Founding Member Rachel Krehm, Artistic Director Jessica Derventzis, Music Director Evan Mitchell, and Programs Manager Jaclyn Grossman, Toronto-based Opera 5 is an independent organization. They’ve come to specialize in chamber opera productions, artist mentorships, web series — one of which snagged a prestigious Opera America Award for Digital Excellence in 2024 — and the creation of new opera works.
“The Opera 5 team is over the moon to be the next Company-in-Residence at the COC!” says Opera 5 General Director Rachel Krehm. “We are eager to maximize this life-changing opportunity to be mentored by the COC so that we can grow, reach a larger audience, and create a greater impact with our work. We also hope this residency will allow us the opportunity to build and solidify our Toronto Opera Festival, a brand-new initiative which we want to be a platform for Canadian works and Canadian artists.”
Opera 5 has produced a string of operas since 2012, including audience favourites like Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Die Fledermaus and many others, along with bringing much lesser known historical works to light, including Ethel Smyth’s The Boatswain’s Mate and Reynaldo Hahn’s l’île du rêve.
Another major component is the creation and production of new works. Opera 5 has given the world premiere of Cecilia Livingston’s The Masque of the Red Death and Darren Russo’s Storybook, among others.
In 2025, Opera 5 will launch the Toronto Opera Festival, a 10-day celebration of the art form in the city.
“At the heart of every COC residency is the unique opportunity for mutual learning,” says Roberto Mauro, COC Director of Artistic Operations & Planning. “We are deeply impressed by the creative work that Opera 5 has brought to life already and are keen to share insights and ideas over the course of our collaborative work ahead. Having more — and stronger — voices across Toronto’s opera community is a win for everyone, artists and audiences alike, and we are proud to support that vision.”
Even before the Toronto Opera Festival in June 2025, Opera 5 will perform at the COC’s Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre on April 16.
The performance offers a preview of a brand-new chamber opera titled Come Closer by composer Ryan Trew and librettist Rachel Krehm. Krehm sings the role of Big Sister, with soprano Jacqueline Woodley in the role of Little Sister, in a work that explores grief, loss, and healing. It’s inspired by the personal story of the loss of Rachel Krehm’s sister to drug addiction
Come Closer will have its world premiere in Toronto this June at the Toronto Opera Festival.
More information on the Canadian Opera Company’s Company-in-Residence can be found on the COC website here.
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